Legal Philosophy

The lawyers of FrankGecker have practiced at some of the largest and most prominent law firms in Chicago and often take leading roles in bankruptcy and litigation matters across the United States. Over the years, clients have hired Joe Frank and Frances Gecker to represent their interests in bankruptcy and district courts in more than 30 states, the Circuit Courts of Appeals for the First, Third and Seventh Circuits and the United States Supreme Court. These clients included trustees, official and unofficial creditors’ committees, chapter 11 debtors and many large public and private corporations that held large bankruptcy claims or found themselves embroiled in significant bankruptcy disputes or other commercial litigation.

We bring vision and intensity to every engagement. We possess the experience and intellect to develop and pursue novel arguments to successful conclusion and, even on routine matters, we focus on key issues, while implementing practices that allow us to pursue our clients’ interests relentlessly, but with great efficiency.

The bedrock beneath our approach is an unwavering commitment to the ethical practice of law. This commitment led Joe Frank and Frances Gecker to strike out on their own to build a small firm where the client can always come first, without the obstacles that arise when the practice of law crosses the line from profession to business.

For more than a decade, FrankGecker has continued to grow its team and the services it provides while adhering to the same principles and vision that drove its formation. The firm has continued to serve as outside counsel to large corporations, representing three Fortune 500 companies in bankruptcy cases across the United States, providing the efficiency of service that comes from continuity of legal representation for a single client over many years.

In addition, FrankGecker has handled bankruptcy litigation in nine-figure and ten-figure disputes, establishing a reputation for diligence, pragmatism, competence and tenacity. FrankGecker represents both plaintiffs and defendants in litigation and the firm has expanded its litigation practice to handle bankruptcy-related litigation in courts across the country, working seamlessly with co-counsel to ensure our clients’ interests are protected, and has employed dynamic thinking to protect its clients from hundreds of millions of dollars of potential liability or to recover similar amounts.

Throughout the last decade, the attorneys of FrankGecker have been actively involved in many mass tort and asbestos-related bankruptcy cases, pursuing insurance recoveries, negotiating the treatment of mass tort claimants, and confirming chapter 11 plans and developing complex distribution procedures, all in an effort to maximize the recoveries of mass tort claimants. Because FrankGecker does not represent insurance companies that are often at odds

with claimants in mass tort bankruptcies, the firm is able to represent its clients’ interests without conflict.

As FrankGecker has continued to grow, the firm has successfully represented committees of creditors in large chapter 11 cases involving both mass tort and business bankruptcies. As committee counsel, FrankGecker’s attorneys have put their litigation and negotiation skills to work to advance the interests of their constituents and maximize recoveries. In addition, FrankGecker’s attorneys have served as counsel or co-counsel to a number of chapter 11 debtors, helping those debtors navigate the complexities of chapter 11 reorganization. To successful conclusion.

After more than a decade, FrankGecker continues to adhere to the principles on which it was founded, fostering the strong client relationships that continue to propel and strengthen the firm.

DIVERSITY

FrankGecker values the perspectives that workforce diversity brings to our firm. We actively promote workplace diversity, and are committed to equal opportunity and to creating an environment of mutual respect, tolerance, and inclusion. FrankGecker is proud to be 50% female-owned and to foster an environment in which women, military veterans, minorities and LGBTQ personnel thrive.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND PRO BONO

In addition to the firm’s legal endeavors, FrankGecker and its individual attorneys regularly devote time and resources to a variety of non-profit organizations important to our firm, its attorneys, and its clients. In addition, FrankGecker maintains an active pro bono practice, dedicating many hours to pro bono professional services.

"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason."